Conor McGregor challenges Floyd Mayweather, apologizes for gun photo

The UFC featherweight spoke of a number of stories about himself on Friday, apologizing for a photo he posted on Instagram posing with an air-soft gun and telling Floyd Mayweather: "Don't ever bring race into my success again."

On Wednesday, McGregor posted a photo on Instagram posing with a gun while sitting in his BMW i8.

The photo sparked another internet controversy with the Irish police alerted, and the Garda released an official statement on the matter, saying they would look into the circumstances under which the photo was taken.

Ireland's strict gun control laws prohibit the public display of weapons.

In an Instagram post on Friday, McGregor apologized for the photo, mentioning that the press is prone to hype up such stories.

"I apologize for having the air-soft in public," McGregor said. "I was simply rehearsing for a potential upcoming film role."

A video posted by Conor McGregor Official (@thenotoriousmma) on Dec 29, 2015 at 10:18am PST

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather gave a detailed interview to Fight Hype boxing magazine on December 30, 2015, in which he discussed racism in sport. He alleged that white fighters such as Rousey and McGregor were praised for their outrageous actions and for being outspoken, while as a black athlete he only received negative criticism for doing the same.

In the same Instagram post, McGregor replied to Mayweather's accusations, saying:

"Floyd Mayweather, don't ever bring race into my success again. I am an Irishman. My people have been oppressed our entire existence. And still very much are. I understand the feeling of prejudice. It is a feeling that is deep in my blood."

McGregor also challenged Mayweather to a fight while mocking him for his last bout.